Rams are a Mickey Mouse team

The top flight’s bottom club is said to be facing a buyout from the American cartoon giant which could make it one of the richest sides in Europe.

But it means the Rams’ pitch-side mascot Rammie could be replaced by Goofy. And terrace chants could be substituted by Disney classics Heigh Ho or even Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

A consortium headed by billionaire Roy Disney, the nephew of Walt, is said to be readying a big money offer for the flagging club.

Adam Pearson, who took over as Derby’s executive chairman last month, promised fans he would look for investment, possibly in the USA or Asia. But yesterday he refused to confirm talks were under way. “I stressed when I took on the chairmanship that I would not engage in media speculation,” he said. “I won’t be saying anything until a deal is done.”

But a club source joked: “If this takeover happens, we could draft in the Seven Dwarves to block the goal and stop us leaking points.

“And if Disney can lend us Hercules he would help score goals!

“But any investment from such a successful family must be a good thing.”

If the deal comes off, Derby will be the fourth Premier League club to be taken over by Americans in the last 18 months. Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United were all bought by US investors – and American tycoon Stan Kroenke owns a significant stake in Arsenal.